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Harmless House’s Sanctum Body Balm review

Like your beauty au naturale? Harmless House is a new SA-based online shop selling a selection of imported natural/ethically sourced beauty goodies. Think things that are either organic or almost organic, not to mention ethically sourced and cruelty free; brands like Sanctum, OrganicSpa and BWC (Beauty Without Cruelty). The best bit? They’ll deliver anywhere in SA for free. Love that!

They were kind enough to send me a Sanctum body balm, R175:

The packaging is totally recyclable, just so you know…

I’d never heard of the brand before but, as it turns out, they’re pretty well-known in Oz which is where it’s from. The pamphlet says it’s ‘inspired by the elements of the sea and hinterland surrounding Byron Bay, Australia’ and created using only the finest organic and natural ingredients’. Still, they had me at ‘inspired by the sea’. I’m totally cray for ocean-spa type vibes which is why I love lines like Crabtree & Evelyn’s La Source and Sh’Zen’s Marine Mystique.

But ja… getting back to the balm… it’s ‘vegan’ ingredients are certified organic and include mega hydrating ingredients like cocoa butter, Shea butter, coconut oil and macadamia nut oil. Texture-wise, you’re looking at a rich velvety cream that feels like it’s going to be waaay too heavy and then it surprises you by sinking into your skin in a flash with no miff, greasy residue.

Another surprise? The scent! At first, when I applied it to my skin, I got a whiff that immediately made me think of wine. Weird, I know, ‘cos there aren’t any ‘grape-y’ ingredients in the mix at all. I didn’t like it all and was about to write it off when – BAM! – it disappears in a literal flash, as though evaporating off your skin, and you’re left with the most DIVINE vanilla-patchouli-ylang-ylang scent. (All of these ingredients are in the mix as well as honeysuckle and rosewood.) Something about it reminds me of DKNY’s Pure EDT, the one with vanilla in it.

The last few days, I’ve climbed out the bath, rubbed it into my legs and felt an immediate sense of comfort. It’s kind of like a hug for your skin and I’ve noticed that it goes a long way in calming any after-shaving irritation thanks to a triple whammy of super-soothing ingredients; aloe leaf juice, chamomile and antioxidant vitamin E.

Want to try it for yourself? Keen to check out the other brands? Pop on over to Harmless House and take a look. The whole ‘free delivery’ aspect makes it a nice way to get a pampering li’l gift to someone in another city within SA.